> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sigmahmis.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Search and add a member

> Look up a member on the payer by membership number in Sigma HMIS Front Desk, then open the existing client or register them with the payer details.

Membership search finds a member on the payer by membership number and opens or registers the client in Front Desk. It is shown only when the workspace has an approved, active payer with member search.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open membership search">
    Open the search-and-add button beside **Register client**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the payer">
    If several payers qualify, choose the payer. Two clinic payers linked to the same registry payer count as one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the membership number">
    Enter the membership number, including the suffix, then choose **Search** or press Enter. The search does not run while you type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open or register the client">
    One match opens the existing client with that membership number. If no client has it, **Register client** opens prefilled with the payer details.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  * A missing member shows "no matching member".
  * An authentication problem asks you to update the payer authentication. The payer login error is not shown.
  * For MASM, suffix `0` and a number with no suffix are the same principal member. A suffix such as `-1` must match that dependant.
  * The saved membership number is the full number from the payer. For MASM, suffix `0` marks the principal member.
</Info>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Register a client" icon="user-plus" href="/workflows/register-client">
    Register a client manually with contact and cover details.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Automatic visit creation" icon="bolt" href="/workflows/visit-automation">
    Create insurance visits in the background from membership search.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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